Did you know that you can use oil to remove makeup and wash your face? It’s true! That bottle of extra-virgin olive oil in your kitchen is about to be your new best friend.

I spent years trying to eliminate unnecessary chemicals from my life so I was happy to ditch the chemical-laden eye make-up remover awhile back, but it took me a really long time to find a natural replacement that actually worked.

Enter the oil-cleansing method. This involves washing your face with .... well, you guessed it: oil. Most facial cleansers tout the fact that they're "oil-free" and the beauty industry has certainly taught us that oil-free is the way to go.

Here's the problem, though: when our skin is stripped of its natural oils, it produces more oil to compensate. For those with oily skin, this means more breakouts, blackheads, and aggravated skin. For those with dry skin or sensitive skin, it means the skin is going to get even drier and more irritated.

Using oil to wash your face means that it will naturally dissolve the dirty oils on your skin without stripping it or using harsh chemicals. Not only is this method simpler, more affordable, better for your skin, and eco-friendly, but the oil-cleansing method is the best make-up remover I've ever found. It removes mascara, eyeliner, foundation, everything—all in one step!

The key to the oil-cleansing method is castor oil which comes from the castor bean. Castor oil is a great antibacterial and is the best for cleaning skin. Depending on your skin-type, you will want to use a different ratio of castor oil to other oils. Other oils to use include olive (perfect for all skin types), jojoba (perfect for all skin types), avocado (best for drier skin), and almond oil (best for oily skin). Not only will this method help your skin regain its natural, dewy glow, but it’s also been known to help lessen wrinkles.

Depending on your skin type, you will need to use a different ratio of castor oil to extra-virgin olive oil (or alternate oil). My recommendation is: